Sheet-feeder.



Patented Oct. l6, I900.

8. K. WHITE.

SHEET FEEDER.

(Application filed Sept. 6, 1899.!

(No Model.)

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ma NORRIS swans co, PHOTOLITHO" WASHINGTON. u. c.

Patented Oct. l6, I900;

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S K WHITE SHEET FEEDER.

(Application filed Sept 6, 1899.1

lNl EN TOR,

No Model.)

WITNESSES,

No. 659,902. Patented Oct. 16, 1900. S. K. WHITE.

SHEET FEEDER.

(Application filed Sept. 6, 1899.|

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SAMUEL K. \VHITE, OF MYSTIC, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE STANDARD MACHINERY COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

SHEET-FEEDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,907, dated. October 16, 1900. Application filed September 6, 1899. Serial No. 729,576. (No model.)

To all 1072 0777, it "may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL K. WHITE, of Mystic, county of New London, and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Feeders; and I do hereby declare the following specification,taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same, to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

The invention relates to that class of sheetfeeding machines in which feeding or separating devices are used for feeding forward or separating the top sheet from a pile or bank of sheets, so that said top sheet may be removed from the pile or bank and presented to machines or devices for further manipulating or acting upon the sheet, and has for its object to provide simple and efficient mechanical devices for throwing the feeding or separating devices out of action, which mechanism is controlled by the action of the sheets.

For the purpose of illustrating one form of feeding mechanism to which the invention may be applied the preferred form of the invcntion is shown embodied in a machine in which a bank of feathered or fanned-out sheets are presented to two independentlycontrolled combing devices, which act to further comb out the top sheets, advancing the top sheet into position to be seized and carried away by forwarding devices. This machine is of the same general class as that shown in the patent to Briggs and Cross, No. 613,793, granted November 8, 1898, to which reference may be had for an understanding of the driving and operating mechanisms and gearing hereinafter referred to and not particularly described. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this particular form of machine, but may be variously modified and used in connection with other forms of sheet-feeding mechanism where it is desired to control the action of the separating devices by the action of the sheet.

In the machine of the patent referred to electrical devices are employed for throwing the combing devices out of action, and the current for these electrical devices is controlled by the action of the sheets. \Vhen the electrical devices get out of order, it is difficult to locate the defect, and the services for that reason.

of an expert electrician are required to insure the constant running of the machine, and such devices are objectionable in many places With the present invention the action of the combers or other separating or feeding devices is controlled by purely-mechanical devices, which do not easily get out of order and which are simple and eificient in action and which may be readily repaired and kept in Working order by the ordinary operator or machinist.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of so much of a sheet-feeding machine as is necessary to show the application of the present invention thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the devices embodying the present invention in their preferred 'form. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view, partly in elevation, showing certain parts to be described. Fig. t is a sectional detail. Fig. 5 is a detail of the mechanism for raising and lowering the upper forwarding-rolls. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modified form of mechanism embodying the invention. Fig. 7 is a similar view with the parts in a different position. Figs. 8 and 9 are details showing the trip-lever in different positions. Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the forwarding-rolls, and Figs. 11 and 12 are details of parts to be described.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the bank of feathered sheets is fed from the sup ply-table 1 to the feed-table 2 through a curved throat formed between the guides 3 and the peripheries of the feed-wheels at, said pile of sheets being held against the feed-wheels by pressure-rolls 5. The bank upon the supplytable rests upon endless bands 0, which extend along the upper face of the table, around the feed-wheels, and back over guide 7 and roll 8. The bank of sheets upon the feedtable is acted upon by combing-rolls 10, one only of which is shown, said rolls being located at each side of the table and being independently controlled, so that the combing roll or rolls at each side act until the edge of the sheet at that side has been advanced into proper position to be seized and removed. The combing-rolls act to comb out the sheets and advance the front edge of the top sheet into position between the forwarding-rolls ll and 12. 13, mounted below the feed-table and contin uously rotated by any suitable gearing. The rolls 12 are secured to a constantly-running shaft 14, the ends of which are journaled in arms 15, which are rocked at proper intervals to raise and drop the rolls 12. The arms 15 are rocked by a rock-shaft 16, mounted below the feed-table and provided with arms 17, to the ends of which are pivoted rods 18, which extend up through the feed-table and bear against the under side of arms 15. An arm 19 is also secured to the rock-shaft l6 and carries a roll at its outer end, which is engaged by a cam-slide 20. When the slide 20 is advanced, the rock-shaft is operated tolift the drop-rolls 12 and when the slide is retracted the shaft 16 is rocked to lower. the rolls 12, so that they rest upon the rolls 11. The slide 20 is advanced and retracted at suitable intervals by a cam 21, formed in a wormwheel 22, which is driven by a worm 23, secured to shaft 13.

The devices for operating and controlling the combing-rolls at each side of the feed-table are the same, and therefore only the devices at one side of the machine have been shown and only one set of devices will be described.

The combing-roll 10 is secured to a shaft 23, Fig. 1, mounted in an arm 24, supported on a constantly-running shaft 25, which is geared to shaft 23 and constantly revolves the same. The shaft 23 is raised and lowered to move the combing rolls into and out of action through a rock-shaft 26, connected to said shaft 23 by toggle arms or levers 27. The rock-shaft 26 is mounted in the ends of arms 28, hung on rod 29, so that said shaft may move up and down, as well as rock on its axis. When the combing-roll is raised, the sheetbelow the top sheet is engaged byaclamp 30, which is hung on shaft 26, and is guided by shaft 23, which passes through a slot in said clamp. When the combing-roll is resting on the pile of sheets, the clamp is raised and the combing-roll advances the top sheet into position between the forwarding-rolls. 'When the front edge of the sheet reaches the proper position, it throws into action mechanism which rocks the shaft 26. The first movement of the shaft 26 lowers the clamp 30 onto the pile of sheets just back of the rear edge of the top sheet, and then continued movement of the rock-shaft raises the combing-roll off of the sheets. When the next sheet is to be advanced to the forwarding-rolls, the rock-shaft is moved in the opposite direction and the combing-rolls first move into contact with the sheets and then the clamp is raised.

The shaft 26 is rocked at regular intervals to carry the combing-roll against the sheets by a cam 31, Fig. 2, secured to a constantlyrunning shaft 32, which extends through the hollow shaft 33, to which the feed-wheels 6 are secured. This cam acts upon a roll 34, mounted on a slide 35, which is connected by The rolls 11 are secured upon a shaft a link 36 to the end of an arm 37, secured to rock-shaft 26. The slide is retracted to operate the rock-shaft 26 in the opposite direction by a spring 38, one end of which is secured to said slide and the other end to the standard 39. When the combing-roll is moved into active position by the cam 31, it is held in this position by latching devices until mechanism is throwninto action by the sheet which operates said latching devices and allows the mechanism for throwing the combing-roll out of action to operate. Any suitable form of latching devices may be used for this purpose and any suitable mechanical devices for controlling said latching de- Vices by the action of the front edge of the top sheet may be employed without departing from the invention. In Figs. 2 to 4 a preferred form of latching devices and a pre-' ferred form of mechanism for operating and controlling said latching devices are shown and will now be described in detail. A lever 40 is pivoted at 41 to the standard 39 and has its upper end connected with the slide 35 by a pin 41, which passes through said slide and a slot 42 in the end of said lever. When the slide 35 is advanced, the lower end of lever 40 is swung rearwardly and passes beyond the end of a stop-lever or catch 43, which is pivoted at 44 and which swings up in front of said lever 40 and prevents the return of said lever and slide 35 until said catch is rocked or tripped to disengage the end of lever 40. The stop-lever 43 is provided with a laterally-projecting arm 45 at its forward end through which it is operated and which also acts as a weight to move the rear end of said lever up into the path of the lever 40. The lever 43 is operated or tripped to release the lever 40 by a rock-arm 46, which projects laterally from a rock-shaft 47, located below the lever 43 and extending longitudinally along the side of the feed-table. The stand ards 39 may be adjusted longitudinally, as shown in the patent referred to, and the rockarm 46 may be extended along the shaft 47 in the form of a flat plate, as shown, to admit of this adjustment. The arm 45 may also be made long enough to allow of a lateral adjustment of the standards.

The shaft 47 is preferably operated by a spring, and the arm 46 is preferably so arranged that it will be a short distance below the end of lever 43 when said lever is holding lever 40, as with this arrangement the arm 46 has a hammer action striking the lever 43 a blow in operating said lever, so that a lighter spring may be used for operating the shaft 47 and the parts made more sensitive and accurate in operation. The operation of shaft 47, and therefore the operation of the devices for throwing the combing-roll out of action, is controlled by the edge of the sheet acting through a trip-lever or catch, which normallyholds the shaft, so that arm 46 is below the end of lever 43 and which is operated by the edge of the sheet to release the shaft 47 and allow its operating-spring to rock said shaft and disengage lever 43 from lever 40. As shown, the shaft 47 is provided at its forward end with an arm 47, Fig. 3, which is engaged by a rod 48, the upper end of which is pivoted to an arm 49, secured'to a rockshaft 50. The shaft- 50 is supported at one end in a bracket, 500, secured to the feedboard, and at the other end in an arm 501, secured to a rod 502, which extends transversely across the machine. A spring 51 has one end secured to the arm 49 and the other to a fixed screw, and thus tends to rock the shaft 50 and also the shaft 47. This spring is restrained and the shafts 50 and 47 held from rocking by a trip-lever or catch 51, the rear end of Which engages the end of an arm 52, secured to shaft 50. The forward end of the trip-lever or catch 51 is located in the path of the sheet being advanced between the rolls 11 and 12, and said sheet rocks said trip-lever to disengage arm 52, thus releasing shaft 50, so that spring 51 operates shaft 47, as before described. The arm 52 may be pro vided with an adjustable bearing-block 53, Figs. 3 and 4, if desired.

After the combing-rolls have been thrown out of action by the release of the lever and slide 35 the tripping devices should be reset before the combing rolls are again thrown into action by the cam 31. This may be done by any suitable mechanism which is properly timed. The parts in the machine illustrated are so timed that the shaft 16 is rocked to throw the rolls 12 up out of action just before the combing-rollsare thrown into action, and it is preferred to operate the resetting devices from this shaft, and one manner of doing this is shown. In the form shown the resetting devices consist of a shoulder or catch 54 on the shaft and a reciprocating latch or pawl 55, which is operated from the shaft 16. The latch or pawl 55 is loosely pivoted on an arm 56, secured to a rock-shaft 57. The shaft 57 is provided with an arm 58 at its outer end, which is connected by a link 59 to a similar arm 60 on the end of shaft 16, so that when shaft 16 is rocked to raise the rolls 12 the shaft 57 is rocked to carry the arm 56 forward. The parts are shown in the position they occupy while the combing-rolls are in action and advancing the top sheet. \Vhen the edge of the sheet strikes the triplever 51, said lever is rocked and the combing-rolls thrown out of action, as described. After the combing-rolls are thrown out of ac- Tion the shaft 16 is rocked to lower the rolls 12. This movement of shaft 16 rocks shaft 57, thus swinging arm 56 rearward and cans ing the shoulder 61 on pawl 55 to pass beyond the catch 54. When the shaft 57 is rocked in the reverse direction by the movement of shaft 16 in raising rolls 12, the shoulder 61 engages catch 54 and rocks shaft 50, thus bringing the end of arm 52 beyond the end of trip-lever 51, which immediately swings up and prevents the return of shaft 50, as

above described. After the shaft 50 has been rocked far enough to bring the end of arm 52 back of trip-lever 51 and before shaft 57 has completed its movement the shoulder 61 rides off of the catch 54, as shown in Fig. 4, and shaft 50 is free to rock under the influence of spring 51 when the trip-lever is operated by the sheet. In order that the trip-lever may be carried out of contact with the sheet when the rolls 12 are lowered to advance the sheet, it is preferred to pivot said lever on a block or support 62, secured to the shaft 57.

In order that the edge of the sheet may have a more positive action in operating the trip-lever and also to enable said trip-lever to be operated by thin sheets without danger of crumpliug the edge of the sheet, the end of said lever is preferably provided with a series of fingers which project into a series of grooves formed in an abutment for supporting the edge of the paper, and this construction forms one feature of the present invention. WVith this construction the fingers ofier a number of bearing-surfaces to the edge of the paper, and the edge of the paper is supported firmly between said bearingsun faces by the abutment. The abutment is preferably in the form of a roller 63, secured to the lower feed-roller shaft and provided with grooves 64, into which the fingers 65 of the trip-lever project, Fig. 5.

It is important that the combing-rolls should not be in action when the drop-rolls 12 are moved into act-ion, and it is preferred, therefore, to provide a safety device which will insure the release of the mechanism for throwing the comhingrolls out of action should the trip not be operated by the sheet before the rolls 12 are lowered. In its prcferred form this safety device consists of a lever 66, having one end arranged to engage the catch or stop-lever 43 and the other end arranged in the path of a cam 67, secured to shaft 32. A spring 68, interposed between a stud 69 and an arm 70 on the hub of lever 66, acts to hold said lever normally out of engagement with lever 43. The parts are so timed that just before the rolls 12 are lowered the cam 67 operates lever 66, and if the lever 43 has not already been operated to release the combing-roll it is operated by said cam and lever 66.

In Figs. 6 to 11 a modified form of mechanism embodying the invention is shown. In this construction the latching devices consist of toggle arms or levers 40 and 41,Which are interposed between a fixed pivot 42 and the end of a lever 43, which is pivoted at 44 to the frame 39 and is connected to the slide 35 by a pin 45', which passes through a slot 46 in said lever. The arm 40' is pivoted to the end of lever 43 and the arm 41 is pivoted to the fixed stud 42. YVhen the slide 35 is advanced, the lever 43 is swung forward on its pivot and the toggle-arms 40 and 41 drop down until their common pivot 48' is below the line of centers, as shown in Figs. 6

and 11. When the toggle-arms are in this position,the shoulders 49 on said arms e11- gage and prevent further downward movement of the said arms. The toggle-arms thus latch the slide 35 in its forward position against the tension of spring 38 until the toggle is broken, when said spring is released and acts to throw the combing-roll out of action. The toggle is broken at the proper time by an arm 49, pivoted on the stud 42 and having its free end arranged to engage the toggle at the pivot 48. The arm 49 is operated by a spring 50, which is held under tension when the combing-roll is moved into active position and is released by the action of the sheet when the sheet has been advanced into the proper position between the forwarding-rolls. It is preferred to so arrange the arm 49 that during the combing its free end will be some distance below the toggle, so that said arm forms a hammer which when released will strike the toggle a blow, thus insuring the breaking of the toggle with the use of a lighter spring than could be used otherwise. The arm 49 is held retracted against the tension of spring 50 by a lever or trip 510, the end of which lies in the path of the sheet advanced by the combing-roll, so that said sheet will act on said lever or trip and release the arm 40 and spring 50. When the arm 49 is retracted, the rear end of the lever 510 engages an arm 52, secured to a rock-shaft 53, to which is also secured an arm 54., connected bya link 55 with the arm 49, Fig. 9. When the front edge of the sheet strikes the end of lever 510, said lever is rocked, thus disengaging the end of said lever from arm 52', and spring 50 operates the hammer 49, which in turn operates the latching-toggle to release spring 38, which throws the combing-roll out of action. The lever 510 is carried by a block 550, secured to rock-shaft 16, so that when said shaft is rocked to lower rolls 12 for forwarding the sheet the end of lever 510 is carried down out of the path of the sheet, and when said shaft is rocked to raise roll 12 the end of said lever is returned to its normal position, Fig. 4:. The end of lever 510 normally extends up into a groove 56", formed in a roll 57, secured to shaft 14, which roll forms an abutment for forcing the sheet against the end of lever 510. The lever 510 is held yieldingly in position on the block 55 by a spring After the combingroll has been thrown out of action the arm 49 must be retracted and arm 52 engaged with the end of lever 51 before the combing-roll is again thrown into action. The devices for doing this consist of a shoulder or abutment 58, secured to shaft 53, and a catch or pawl 59, loosely pivoted to the end of an arm 61, secured to shaft 16. The pawl 59 has a notch 62 in its end, and the parts are so arranged that as the shaft 16 rocks to raise the rolls 12 this notch engages the shoulder 58 and rocks shaft 53. This movement of shaft 53 retracts arm 49' and brings arm 52 beyond the end of lever 510,

so that when the notch 62 disengages itself from the shoulder 58 the arm 52 engages the end of lever 510 and is held from movement thereby. After the catch 59 has rocked the shaft 53 a certain distance the notch 62 slides off of the shoulder 58, and said shaft moves in the opposite direction until arm 52 engages the end of trip-lever 510. This brings the shoulder 58 above the notch 62', as shown in Figs. 6 and 9, so that the shaft 53 is free to rock under the action of spring 50 as soon as said shaft is released by the action of the sheet on lever 510. When the shaft 16 rocks to lower the rolls 12, the catch 61 is moved back, so that its notch is above the shoulder 58 and in position to engage said shoulder, when shaft 16 is again rocked to raise rolls 12.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a sheet-feeding device, means for throwing said device into action, a latching device for holding said feeding device in action, and mechanical devices for controlling said latching device by the sheet.

2. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing device, means for throwing said device into action, a latching device for holding said comber in action, and mechanical devices for controlling said latching device by the sheet.

3. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing-roll, means for throwing said roll into action, a latching device for holding said combing-roll in action, and devices controlled by the sheet for operating said latching devlce.

4. In a sheet-feeder the combination of a combing-roll, means for throwing said roll into and out of action, a latching device for holding said combing-roll in action, and mechanical devices for controlling said latching device by the sheet.

5. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a sheet-feeding device, means for throwing said device into and out of action, a latching device for holding said feeding device in action,

means for operating said latching device, and a sheet-operated catch arranged in the path of the sheet for restraining said means.

6. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing-roll, means for throwing said roll into and out of action, a latching device for holding said combing-roll in action, and a tripping device operated by the sheet for releasing said latching device.

7. In. a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing-roll, means for throwing said roll into and out of action, a latching device for holding said combing-roll in action, means for operating said latching device, and a sheet operated catch for restraining said means.

8. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a sheet-feeding device, means for throwing said device into and out of action, a latching de- Vice for holding said feeding device in action,

means for operating said latching device, a sheet -operated catch for restraining said means, and mechanism for resetting said operating means and catch.

9. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing-roll, means for throwing said roll into and out of action, a latching device for holding said roll in action, a tripping device operated by the sheet for releasing said latching device, and mechanism for resetting said tripping device.

10. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing-roll, means for throwing said roll into and out of action, a latching device for holding said roll in action, means for operating said latching device, a sheet-operated catch for restraining said means, and mechanism for reset ting said operating means and catch.

11. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a sheet-feeding device, a latching device for holding said feedingdevicein action, aspring operated lever for operating said latching device, and a trip or catch arranged in the path of and operated by the sheet for restraining said spring.

12. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a sheet-feeding device, a latching device for holding said feeding device in action, and a hammer arranged to strike said latching de vice a blow in releasing the same.

13. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a sheetfeeding device, a latching device for holding said Feeder in action, a hammer ar ranged to strike said latching device a blow in releasing the same,and sheet-controlled devices for operating said hammer.

14. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a sheet-feeding device, means for throwing said device into and out of action, a latching device for holding said feeding device in action, a spring-operated device for releasing said latching device, a sheet operated trip arranged in the path of the sheets for restraining said spring, and mechanism for resetting said operating device and trip.

15. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing-roll, means for throwing said roll into and out of action, a latching device for holding said roll in action, a spring-operated device for releasing said latching device, a sheetoperated trip for restraining said spring, and mechanism for resetting said operating device and trip.

16. In a sheet-feeder the combination of a sheet-feeding device, means for throwing said device into action, a spring for throwing said device out of action, a latching device for restraining said spring, a spring-operated device for releasing said latching device, and a sheet-operated trip arranged in the path of the sheets for restraining said latter spring.

17. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing-roll, means for throwing said roll into action, a spring for throwing said roll out of action, and asheet-controlled latching device for restraining said spring.

18. In a sheet-teeder, the combination of a eombing-roll, means for throwing said roll into action, a spring for throwing said roll out of action, a latching device for restraining said spring, and devices controlled by the sheet for releasing said latching device.

19. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing-roll, means for throwing said roll into action, a spring for throwing said roll out of action, a latching device for restraining said spring, a spring-operated device for releasing said latehingdevice, and a sheet-operated trip controlling the operation of said releasing device.

20. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing roll, means for throwing said roll into action, a spring for throwing said roll out of action, a latching device for restraining said spring, a spring-operated device for releasing said latching device, and a sheetoperated trip for restraining said latter spri ng.

21. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a sheet-Feeding device, means for throwing said device into action, a latching device for holding said feeding device in action, a trip operated by the sheet, and mechanical connections between said trip and latching device whereby the releasing of said latching device is controlled by the sheet, substantially as described.

22. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing device, means for throwing said device into action, a latching device for holding said combing device in action, a trip operated by the sheet, and mechanical connections between said trip and latching device whereby the releasing of said latching device is controlled by the sheet.

23. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing-roll, means for throwing said roll into action, a latching device for holding said combing-roll in action, a trip operated by the sheet, and mechanical connections between said trip and latching device whereby the releasing of said latching device is controlled by the sheet.

24. In a sheet-feeder, the combination ofa sheet-feeding device, means for throwing said device into action, a latching device for bolding said device in action, means for controlling the release of said latching device by the sheet, and an independent means for releasing said latching device.

25. In a sheet-feeder, the combination ofa sheet-feeding device, intermittently-operating forwarding devices, means for throwing said feeding device into action, a latching device for holding said device in action, means for controlling the release of said latching device by the sheet, and an independent means for releasing said latching device prior to the operation of the forwarding devices.

26. In asheet-feeder, the combination of a combing-roll, intermittently-operating forwarding-rolls, means for throwing said combing-roll into action, a latching device for holding said combing-roll in action, means for controlling the release of said latching device by the sheet, and an independent means for releasing said latching device prior to the operation of said forwarding-rolls.

27. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a spring-operated rock-shaft, a trip-lever for restraining said spring, and means for resetting said spring and trip comprising a shoulder on said shaft and a reciprocating pawl arranged to engage said shoulder.

28. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a spring-operated rock-shaft, an arm on said shaft, a trip-lever engaging said arm to hold said shaft against the tension of said spring, a shoulder on said shaft, and a reciprocating pawl for engaging said shoulder to put said spring under tension and bring said arm into position to be engaged by said trip-lever.

29. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a rock-shaft, a spring for operating the same, an arm on said shaft, a trip-lever for engaging said arm to hold said shaft against the tension of said spring, a shoulder on said shaft, a pawl for engaging said shoulder, a rock-arm carrying said pawl, and means for intermittently operating said rock-arm.

30. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a sheet-feeding device, means for controlling the operation of said device embodying a spring-operated rock-shaft, a trip-lever for restraining said rock-shaft and having its end in the path of the sheet, a shoulder on said shaft, and a reciprocating pawl for engaging said shoulder to reset said spring and trip-lever.

31. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a sheet-feeding device, means for controlling the operation of said device, embodying a spring-operated rock-shaft, an arm on said shaft, a trip-lever for engaging said arm and having its end in the path of the sheets, a shoulder on said shaft, a pawl for engaging said shoulder, and an intermiLtently-operated rock-arm carrying said pawl.

32. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a sheet-feedingdevice, forwarding-rolls,a rockshaft for raising and lowering the upper for- Warding-rolls,ineans for controllingthe act-ion of the feeding device embodying a spring-operated rock-shaft, a trip-lever in the path of the sheet for restraining said spring, a shoulder on said latter shaft, and a reciprocating pawl for en gaging said shoulder and operated from the shaft for raising and lowering the forward rolls.

33. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing device, of a slide connected there- With, a cam for moving said slide to throw the combing device into action, a spring for returning said slide, 'a' latching device for holding said slide advanced, a trip-lever in the path of the sheet, and mechanical devices between the latching device and trip for operating said trip.

34. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing device, of a slide for operating the same, a cam for advancing said slide, a spring for returning said slide,a lever connected with said slide, a latch engaging said lever, and devices controlled by the sheet for operating Said latch.

35. In a sheetfeeder, the combination of a combing device, a latch for holding said device in action, a rock arm or plate foroperating said latch, and means controlled by the sheet for operating said rock-arm.

. 36. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing device, a latch for holding said device in action, an arm or plate for operating said latch, a rock-shaft extending in the direction of the travel of the sheet carrying said arm or plate, and means controlled by the sheet for operating said rock-shaft.

37. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing device, a latch for holding said device in action, a rock-shaft carrying an arm for operating said latch, a spring for operating said rockshaft, a trip-lever for restraining said spring, and means for resetting said spring and trip-lever.

33. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing-roll, aslide 35 connected therewith, a cam 31 for operating said slide, spring 38 for retracting said slide, lever 40 connected to said slide, latch-lever 43 for engaging lever 40, and means controlled by the sheet for operating lever 43.

39. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing-roll, aslide 35 connected therewith, a cam 31, a spring 38, a lever 40, a latch-lever 43, a rock-arm 46, a spring 51 for operating said arm, a shaft 50, and a trip-lever 51 for restraining spring 51.

40. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing-roll, a slide 35, a cam 31, a spring 38, a lever 40, a latch-lever 43, means controlled by the sheet for operating lever 43, a lever 66, and a cam 67.

41. In a sheet-feeder, the combination of a combing-roll, intermittently-operating forwarding-rolls, a slide 35, a cam 31, a spring 38, a lever 40, a latch-lever 43, means controlled by the sheet for operating lever 43, a lever 66 and a cam 67.

SAMUEL K. WHITE.

Witnesses:

ROLAND GREEN, FRANK L. CROSS. 

